I have zero association with this book - just pimping it because I've read it and found it to be immensely valuable.
http://www.amazon.com/Training-New-Alpinism-Climber-Athlete/dp/193834023X
Steve House is probably much less well-known to the non-climbing community than Alex Honnold or Tommy Caldwell, with their sunny Californian exploits. But, I assure you, both of those dudes have great respect for Steve, as do most climbers worldwide. He's probably the best American alpinist of all time, and he's turned his mind to the science of training. His co-author, nordic ski coach Scott Johnston, provided much of the physio content.
I have read a lot of physio and training books, and I have to say that this is the most complete look at human athletic performance that I've ever read. Of course, it's a horrible stand-alone running book, and you're not going to toss this at someone doing couch-to-5k. But, the unique aspects of alpine climbing make this book unique as well. Alpine climbing requires that you maximize strength to weight, with incredible endurance and the ability to do some of the hardest work when you are the most fatigued. Trying to blend these aspects means the sport - and the book - need to have a very well-rounded picture of the body's muscles and energy systems. Unlike most general-audience books, the science is correct and modern! This is not the physiology section of most running books, which usually amount to a 7th-grade oversimplification of aerobic/anaerobic systems.
It's also reasonably-sized. It offers all the critical physio from Noakes, without the long-winded theorizing. It certainly doesn't lay out a succinct marathon-training plan, but it quickly gives you the tools to critique available plans. It does give some really excellent strength routines, focused on building power, injury-resistance, and core stability, without adding weight. Climbers NEED that, but runners should certainly apply it as well! There's even a wonderful rant from brooding uber-alpinist Mark Twight against the evil lure of Cross-Fit, and how it killed his endurance.
Anyway, hopefully some people here are also physio/training geeks, and can get some value from this. It's not so much looking at running training from a new angle as it is getting the 10,000 foot view. It really fills in a lot of gaps and makes a lot of new connections for me. If you are also a serious climber - or hiker or skier - then you MUST buy it.
Enjoy.